Oscar de la Renta Pre Fall 2012 Collection

After a romping spring 2012 collection replete with bustling couture skirts and grungy lace t-shirts and crop tops, Oscar de la Renta took it back to basics reminding us all that he’s the American master of both high-drama and understated elegance. For his pre-fall collection, de la Renta paid homage to those Park Avenue women who’ve been the anchor of the house since it opened in 1965.

It was clear from look 1 that this collection would be all about pattern-play, color, and texture. The most successful looks were in the duo of patchwork coats and his elegantly whimsical takes on hand-cut lace and eyelets in cocktail frocks and evening gowns. With no clear single source of inspiration other than the female form, this collection was all about the ODLR woman and the incredibly talented hands that suit her.